Endicott Earns #4 Seed in ECAC Volleyball Tournament; Set to Host #5 Southern Maine

2014 ECAC Division III New England Tournament

2014-15 Endicott Athletics Championship Central

DANBURY, Conn.-  The ECAC announced the field for the DIII New England ECAC Championships on Monday, and Endicott has been selected to the field of seven.  Following a 16-16 season to date which saw their CCC postseason run end in a thrilling five set loss to #1 Roger Williams, the Gulls have been named the #4 seed in the seven team tournament and will host #5 Southern Maine on Wednesday at 7:00 p.m.

Joining Endicott and Southern Maine in the field are fellow CCC members #1 Western New England (19-12) #2 Salve Regina (20-10), as well as non-conference foes #3 Worcester State (23-9), #5 University of Southern Maine (18-13), #6 St. Joseph's , Conn. (16-7) and #7 MCLA (15-13).  Of these teams, the Gulls have faced Salve Regina and Western New England in 2014, having lost to both in the regular season by scores of 3-0.  Endicott and Salve Regina both fell to Roger Williams in the CCC tournament as the Gulls fell in the semifinals while the Seahawks fell in the finals.  Western New England was upset by Salve in the CCC Quarterfinals 3-2 after defeating the Seahawks 3-1 in the regular season.

Endicott's first round opponent, the Huskies of #5 Southern Maine, finished the 2014 regular season 18-13 overall and 1-6 in LEC play.  Under first year head coach Diane Newell, the Huskies will be making the trip to Beverly for the first ever meeting between the two programs.  The two programs have five common opponents from the 2014 regular season as both squads competed against Curry, Gordon, Salem State, Salve Regina and Wentworth.  The Gulls went 4-1 against those five opponents, losing to Salve Regina 3-0 but sweeping all others while Southern Maine went 3-2, losing to Gordon and Salve Regina 3-0 and 3-1 respectively while sweeping Salem State and Curry, and knocking off Wentworth in five.   The winner will earn the right to take on #1 Western New England who earned a first round bye following their 19-12 record.  The semifinal and championship rounds will both be hosted at Western New England on Saturday, November 15^th.

On the other side of the bracket, #2 Salve Regina (20-10) looks to continue their strong 2014 season as they play host to #7 MCLA (15-13).  The Seahawks, who fell in four to Roger Williams in the CCC Finals, traveled to #1 Western New England in the CCC Semifinals and upset the hosts 3-2 in dramatic fashion.  Their opponent, the Trailblazers of MCLA, have had a successful 2014 campaign, posting a record over .500 for the first time since the 2010 season.  The Trailblazers fell to Bridgewater State in the MASCAC Quarterfinals 3-0 to end their conference push.  The winner of the #2/#7 matchup will advance to Western New England to take on the winner of #3 Worcester State and #6 Saint Joseph's.

 #3 Worcester State (23-9) will play #6 Saint Joseph's at St. Joseph's on Wednesday night as well.  Worcester State was knocked out of NCAA contention following a 3-0 loss to Framingham State in the MASCAC finals following a 23-9 season that saw the Lancers post a 5-1 regular season record in MASCAC play just one year after going 9-19 overall and 3-3 in MASCAC play.  St. Joseph's, a team that is 16-7 on the season and posted an 8-3 record in regular season GNAC play, lost to Johnson & Wales (R.I.) in the GNAC Quarterfinals to end their conference postseason run and extends their turnaround season just one year after going 9-19 as well. 

As always for Endicott home matches, live stats and broadcasting will be available.  Please check the Endicott Women's Volleyball schedule.